Love! I may be sharing with you all these love posts on the segments of 1 Corinthians 13 love, but I think they’re aimed at me! {sigh}

Sometimes, it is so difficult to allow love to outshine whatever else rises up within us, isn’t it? I know it is for me.

Have you read or listened to the news lately? Wow! It’s challenging to remember not to rejoice when consequences return on those who have committed wrongdoings.

Other versions state the above verse this way…

* “But truth—yes, truth—is love’s delight!” verse 6b Voice
* “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” NIV
* “Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.” HCSB
* “It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.” TLB

The Greek word for iniquity means unrighteousness or wrong.

Matthew Henry said love does not “rejoice at the faults and failings of others,” and “It is the very height of malice to take pleasure in the misery of a fellow-creature.”

The commentary Barnes’ Notes says love does not “rejoice over the ‘vices’ of other people; does not take delight when they are guilty of crime, or when, in any manner, they fall into sin. It does not find pleasure in hearing others accused of sin, and in having it proved that they committed it. It does not find a malicious pleasure in the ‘report’ that they have done wrong.”

It also says, “People of the world often find a malignant pleasure in the report, and in the evidence that a member of the Church has brought dishonor on his profession.”

Have you ever heard anyone scoff or take pleasure in the fall of a well-known Christian? Do we as fellow-believers do that? I hope not. But I know it happens.

What is interesting in the opening version (NKJV) is that two different Greek words are used for rejoice/s. The first rejoice means cheerful, calmly happy or well-off, be glad, or joyful. It is also used as a greeting.

The second word for rejoices means to sympathize in gladness, congratulate, rejoice with or together, or take part in another’s joy.

The disciple John took part in another’s joy. He sent his letter 2 John to the “elect lady and her children.” He said, “I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.” (2 John 4 NKJV)

And as Solomon said, “Good people celebrate when justice triumphs.” (Prov. 21:15a Msg) Celebrating in justice, not injustice.

We rejoice in the spreading of the gospel, the good news, the truth. Jesus told the disciple Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6 NKJV) We rejoice in the truth of Christ.

Jesus told the Jews who believed in Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32 NKJV)